Thick slices of unripe firm green tomatoes dredged in cornmeal and buttermilk, fried in lard or bacon fat until shattering golden, served with comeback sauce or remoulade. The Southern summer side dish.
Fried green tomatoes have been a Southern home-kitchen fixture since the 19th century, with the dish entering the American food consciousness through the 1991 film. The Charleston version uses Anson Mills heirloom cornmeal and a hit of cayenne. Husk and FIG run elevated versions; Magnolias keeps the classic.
4 editor picks for Fried Green Tomatoes in Charleston, ranked by editorial score. All Charleston signature dishes · Fried Green Tomatoes across every city.
Husk ★ 4.9
downtown · 76 Queen St, Charleston, SC 29401
Sean Brock's Husk in Charleston opened on Queen Street in 2010 and rebuilt Southern fine dining around heritage Anson Mills grains, Sea Island peas.
Magnolias ★ 4.5
downtown · 185 E Bay St, Charleston, SC 29401
Magnolias on East Bay Street is the Charleston brunch institution since 1990. Sunday brunch only: banana pudding French toast, crab cake Benedict.
Poogan's Porch ★ 4.2
downtown · 72 Queen St, Charleston, SC 29401
Poogan's Porch in Charleston has run since 1976 from a restored Victorian on Queen Street. Order the shrimp and grits at brunch, biscuits to start.
82 Queen ★ 4.2
downtown · 82 Queen St, Charleston, SC 29401
82 Queen in Charleston has poured she-crab soup for 40 years from three historic buildings on Queen Street with a courtyard garden under a magnolia tree.